Week 1 high school football Power Rankings

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Sep. 7—(Editor's note: These rankings are considered "pound-for-pound" rankings, similar to many rankings systems in boxing and mixed martial arts. They represent the best teams in southeastern Minnesota, relative to the class they play in.

1. Byron

The Bears begin their season atop our Power Rankings, fresh off a 43-0 win over Holy Angels. Byron put together a 9-1 season a year ago when it sent 10 players to the college football ranks. It's got another pack of college-level players on its team this year and is off to a dominating start, led by senior quarterback Eli Rodemeyer and senior running back Jordan Heimer.

2. Kasson-Mantorville

The KoMets were given no test in their opener, beating struggling St. Paul Central 61-0 on Friday. But bet on K-M having its share of lopsided wins. The KoMets, who made it all the way to the Class 4A championship game last year, are loaded again. Senior quarterback Logan Louks is a serious threat to run or pass and will quite nicely fill the shoes of graduated standout QB Grady Backcock.

3. Stewartville

The Tigers make it a 1-2-3 showing at the top of our power Power Rankings out of Section 1, Class 4A. All of them seem assured of showing up in the top 10 of the state poll as well. Stewartville looks like it has another terrific quarterback. Senior Pete Tschetter — the youngest of the ultra-athletic Tschetter family — started his season off with a 237-yards, two-touchdowns night in a 31-0 win over Benilde-St. Margaret's. And yes, that shutout is proof that Stewartville once again will be stout on defense.

4. Fillmore Central

The Falcons went 10-1 last year, their only loss in the state quarterfinals. Look for the same and then some this year, with a record-setting 19 seniors on the team, including arguably the best quarterback in southeastern Minnesota, Bridon Bahl. Fillmore Central returns all but one starter on its big and athletic offensive line.

5. Caledonia

The Warriors — who have big aspirations — were tested immediately on Friday night. Rushford-Peterson took them to overtime before Caledonia emerged a hard-fought 25-18 winner. R-P beat Caledonia in the season-opener last year, but the Warriors rallied and reached the state tournament. This Caledonia team — led by defensive standouts Max Schmitz and Cooper Allen — has state tournament written on them again.

6. Triton

That letdown following the graduation of star quarterback/defensive back Pierce Petersohn? Judging by its season opener, it's not going to happen. Triton beat 2025 state runner-up Goodhue 21-14 on the road Friday. The Cobras look in great hands at quarterback. Excellent athlete Graden Thomas ran for 106 yards and a touchdown in the opener.

7. Cannon Falls

The Bombers are up to their usual tricks, gouging teams with their lethal option-running attack. Cannon Falls amassed 301 ground yards in their season-opening 44-8 blowout of rival Randolph. Eleven different players carried the ball. But surprise, surprise, Cannon Falls also threw it a bit, quarterback Beck Swanson finishing 5-for-8 for 117 yards and a touchdown. Collin Nguyen was everywhere on defense, with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

8. Zumbrota-Mazeppa

The Cougars finished 7-3 overall last year and did it behind standout quarterback/linebacker Hadyn Boraas. He threw for 1,224 yards and ran for 647. Now a senior, Boraas is back for more. So is senior Ryan Tesmer, who led the conference with 608 yards receiving. Z-M got off to a dominant start Friday, beating Kenyon-Wanamingo 27-0. Boraas threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

9. LeRoy-Ostrander

The Cardinals figured to have a big test in their opener, taking on a Spring Grove team that finished 8-3 last year and returned a pack of standouts. But surprising L-O — which is led by star senior quarterback Reid Hungerholt — passed that test with stunning ease, roaring past the Lions 28-7.

10. Blooming Prairie/Hayfield

Blooming Prairie has traditionally been one of the top teams in the state under 29th-year coach Chad Gimbel. But the Blossoms — short on numbers — stumbled last year to a 2-7 record. This season they are combined with Hayfield and off to a "that's-more-like-it" start. The Blossoms beat Lewiston-Altura 44-18 on Friday, getting 176 yards passing and 112 rushing from senior quarterback Chase Escamilla.

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